Nov 9 Poppies and Parades

Annual remembrance commemorations come to a head in Lincoln next weekend,with services and parades taking place across the city - all coordinated by the City ofLincoln Branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL).

On the evening of Friday 10 November a Remembrance Concert led by theLincolnshire Fire and Rescue Band will take place at the Sir Robert PattinsonAcademy in North Hykeham. The show starts at 7.30pm and light refreshments willbe available. Admission is £5 on the door with all proceeds going to the PoppyAppeal.On Saturday 11 November - Armistice Day itself - there are two events. At 10.45amat the War Memorial in Lincoln High Street there will be a short service ofremembrance attended by the City of Lincoln Council civic party. A wreath will belaid on behalf of many local military units, police, fire and prison services and localbusinesses and organisations.Another short service will take place at the Commonwealth war graves memorial inNewport Cemetery at 2pm where the Royal British Legion will lay a wreath andobserve a silence for those service personnel from overseas who are laid to restthere.

On Sunday 12 November a service will take place at Lincoln Cathedral. Proceedingsstart at 10:30am and will include a parade of Standards from all the local military andex-service associations and wreaths laid by the Lord Lieutenant, civic dignitaries,service and ex-service personnel and many local youth organisations.

Andy Pearce, Chairman of the City of Lincoln Branch of the RBL said:Remembrance is vital in helping all ages understand the service and sacrifice givenby both the military and civilian community from the First World War up to thepresent day.“In developing that understanding it is worth reflecting on how different Britain mightbe today had the ultimate sacrifice not been made by so many.

“Remembrance for those who have laid down their lives for the cause of freedomand justice is symbolised by the poppy at this time of year, which contrary to whatorganisations such as FIFA might believe is not a political symbol but one of hope.“Drawn from the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ it represents the armed forces communitypast and present, and we hope that as well as a visual reminder of individualsacrifice it serves to focus minds on the consequences of war.

“It also highlights the need for everyone to properly care for our service personnelwho all are prepared to sacrifice so much as part of their commitment to serving usall.

“The work of the RBL to help past and present members of the armed forces andtheir families goes on all year round and relies on money raised by volunteers.All the remembrance events are open to the public and all are welcome to join inwith the commemorations.”

So why not join the RBL and start your own tradition this year to help keep this vitalone burning bright into the 21st century.Wear your poppies with pride and take all the family along to pay your respects.

#LestWeForget

If you’d like to further support the RBL through membership or volunteering you cancontact the Lincoln branch via the website -http://branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/lincoln or search Royal British Legionon Facebook.